Stapling device



Aug. 9, 1966 A. L.. RoBBlNs 3,265,278

STAPLING DEVICE Filed July 20. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FI-5:. E. W?

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INVENTOR. /z 545?? z. fifi/M5' j unit.

United States Patent C) 3,265,278 STAPLING `DE`VlCE Albert L. Robbins, Whitestone, N.Y., assigner' to United Staple Company, lne., Long Island City, NX., a corporation of New York Filed July 20, 1964, Ser. No. 333,733 16 Claims. (Cl. 227-132) My invention relates generally to stapling devices of the tacker variety, and more lparticularly to various structural improvements therein to achieve increased ruggedness, simplicity of assembly and capability to withstand repeated shock loading. Further, these improvements are realized in a manner providing ease of fabrication, part reduction and significant cost economies.

Tacker is the term used to generally denote a stapling device of the type wherein the U-shaped staples ejected therefrom do not have their ends bent (as in the conventional desk-type stapling machine), but project directly into the material being fastened, in a manner analogous to that of a double pointed brad. Such tackers are generally used to aix the staple into a base material offering substantial resistance to penetration (eg. wood). Accordingly, it is necessary to generate appreciable energy within the tacker device, in order that the staple be ejected with sufficient force for rm securement. The dissipation of such appreciable forces within the stapling device naturally subjects the Various components thereof to substantial and repeated shock loading. In the past, weaknesses in the structure, particularly at the regions wherein individual components are interconnected, have caused fracture as Well as misalignment of the components during ensuing usage.

Within recent years there has been an increasing demand for greater staple ejection forces, to broaden their application. Accordingly, there is now available a variety of heavy-duty tackers, wherein the discharge forces generated are of an increasingly greater magnitude. For the most part, however, such units have failed to properly account for the increase in shock loading. Although not specifically limited thereto, it is within such heavy duty tackers that the structural improvements of my invention have found particular utility.

In such tacker devices the staple is forceably ejected by the action of a spring loaded driving block to which there is attached a blade of a width substantially equal to that of the staple. The block is rst movedin a direction to compress the driving spring. The movement of the block may be achieved by rotating a pivotally mounted lever which transmits its motion through a pawl in engagement with the driving block. When the block is moved to a position wherein the spring is fully compressed, the pawl then disengages, permitting the block and the blade secured thereto to rapidly translate towards the staple to be discharged. A staple `storage or feed means is also included wherein a strip of staples are fed one-by-one to the driving block location. Such staple feed means typically includes a longitudinally extending channel member having upstanding walls in juxtaposed relationship with respect to the external housing frame walls of the It has been found that as the staple is severed and enters the work, there will be a tendency of the conventional divergent pointed ends thereof to effect twisting of the staple, which in turn is transmitted as appreciable `back-up shock forces to the adjacent channel structure. One aspect of my invention is accordingly directed to an improved fastening means for rigidly securing the channel member to the frame walls of this region, so as to withstand the shock loading of staple discharge.

The driving block is located and reciprocally guided by a bumper plate member. As can be readily understood, the driving block possesses considerable inertia and with repeated usage the impact of the block upon the structure where its motion is arrested has tended to cause metal fatigue and fracture. Another aspect of my invention resides in the manner in which the bumper plate is interconnected to the frame walls to accurately maintain its desired location. In my previous U.S. Patent No. 3,034,128 issued May 15, 1962, and entitled Stapling Device, I show an arrangement wherein the lowermost horizontal platform of the bumper plate includes horizontally disposed tabs within cooperating slits of the frame walls. According to the instant invention, I further provide projections along the upstanding side walls of the bumper plate, snugly fitted within cooperating apertures of the frame side walls. These locating projections in conjunction with the horizontal tabs of my aforementioned patent application serve to distribute the shock impact load over a relatively wider area than has heretofore been realizable, thereby providing a device of increased ruggedness.

As still another advantageous aspect of my invention, the arcuate movement of the operating handle is limited by stop means integrally formed with the bumper plate. Previously such stop means had typically included a separate member assembled within the stapling device. My novel bumper plate also contemplates an additional, integrally formed, forwardly projecting extension for centering the drive spring in alignment with respect to the driving block. l-leretofore such centering means have similarly necessitated inclusion of au additional component within the unit. By integrally forming the stop means and centering means within the bumper plate itself, I advantageously achieve increased simplicity and an attendant reduction of manufacturing costs.

Another difficulty which has been experienced in using staple tacking devices has been that the pusher rod for feeding the staples towards the discharge end of the device tends to unlatch as the number of stored staples becomes reduced. This is especially so in the heavy duty type of tacker device, wherein the appreciable discharge forces generated will set up vibrations suflicient in magnitude to dislodge the latch mechanism employed at the terminus of the pusher rod. To avoid this, I advantageously provide a novel bias means in the form of an S-shaped spring member to inhibit unlocking of the latch mechanism.

lt is accordingly .a primary object of my invention to provide a staple tacker of increased ruggedness, unity of construction and ease of fabrication.

A further object of my invention is to provide a staple tacking device having a novel fastening arrangement for rigidly securing the staple feed means thereof to the frame walls of the external housing.

Another object of my invention is to provide the stapling device which incorpora-tes a novel bias means for inhibiting unlatching of the staple pusher rod assembly.

An additional object of my invention is to provide such a stapling device wherein the bias means is a generally S-shaped spring in engagement `with the pusher rod latch means in such a manner as to require more force to unlock the latch than to lock the latch.

Still a further object of my invention is to provide within a stapling device of the tacker variety a `bumper plate having locating protrusions along the upstanding walls thereof for snug-fit engagement within cooperating apertures of the housing frame walls.

Still another object of my invention is to provide, within a stapling device of the tacker variety, a bumper plate having integrally for-med projections for accurately centering the driving spring.

Still an additional object of my invention is to provide in the bumper plate of a stapling device integrally formed 3 stop means for .deli-ning the extent of pivotal movement of the operating handle.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a bumper plate for incorporation within a stapling device of the tacker variety, having integrally formed regions thereof for: (1) rigidly and accurately securing the bumper plate to the frame walls in `an eflicient shock transfer relationship therewith; (2) centering the driving spring means; and (3) serving as a stop means to limit the pivotal extent of operating handle movement.

These as well as other objects of my invention will readily become apparent upon a consideration and description of the following drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view, showing a stapling device of the tacker variety constructed in accordance with the novel teachings of my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the stapling device shown in the discharged postion, with the handle position shown dotted indicating the char-ge position thereof.

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the stapling device shown in the charged position and illustrative of the manner in which the integrally formed stop means of the bumper plate serves to denne the arcuate extent of the pivotal handle movement.

FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 are side elevation, end and plan views respectively of the bumper plate member in accordance with preferred teachings of my invention.

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 2, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the manner in which the improved fastening means of my invention rigidly interconnect the channel of the staple feed assembly to the housing frame walls.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8 8 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the manner in which the vertically extending walls of the bumper plate are accurately located with respect to the housing frame walls and secured thereto.

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view along Ithe line 9-9 of FIGURE 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the manner in which the forwardly extending projections of the bumper plate serve to center the driving spring.

FIGURES 10, 11, 12 and 13 are a perspective, front, -top and end views respectively of my improved latch bias means.

FIGURE 14 is a longitudinal View of the improved fastening means as shown in FIGURE 7.

The stapling device generally indicated by reference character.10 is of the general character shown and described in my aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,034,128. Staple tacker 10 generally comprises a main frame element or housing 11, staple feeding means 12 and staple driving means 13. The main frame element 11 includes a pair of main frame members 17 and 18 respectively, and a front door member 19 p-ivotally mounted on pin 14, which passes through openings 52 of the bumper plate.

The main frame members 17 and 18 are substantially mirror images of each other, each including a planar side wall 24, a top wall 26 and an end Wall 27. The frame members 17, 18 define ia rear access 28 to the staple feed means 1.2, and an elongated opening 29 for the passage of operating handle 112. A centrally disposed opening 30, which acts as a convenient hand grip, is formed by a continuous inner wall 31 on each of the frame members 17, 18.

Pin 14 may preferably also pivotally mount a generally U-shaped handle locking means 15 as is the subject of my U.S. Patent No. 3,095,574, issued Iuly 2, 1963 and entitled Handle Lock Afor Stapling Device.

The members 17-19` inclusive enclose a bumper plate member 20 which in turn resiliently supports driving block member 117. Driving block member 117 includes a pair of mounting protrusions 122, 123- for receiving driving blade 110 via cooperating apertures 122', 123 thereof. The elongated configuration of driving blade is adapted to reciprocate vertically in the region whereat the staple to be discharged is located. Rapid movement downward of the driving block 117, and accordingly driving blade 1110 (in a manner to be subsequently discussed) serves to shear off the forward staple 101 of the strip 100 located Within the staple feed means 12, and rapidly eject the staple outward of stapling device 10.

The bumper plate member 20 (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) includes a .pair of vertical side walls 46, 47 interconnected by a bridge portion 48 from which extends a bumper portion 49. Bumper portion 49 includes outwardly extending tab members 55, 56 which extend into cooperating horizontal openings 32 of the frame side walls 24, as is the subject of my aforementioned U.S. Patent No. 3,034,128. In accordance with the advantageous teachings of my invention, bumper plate 20 also includes locating protrusions 57, 58 snugly secured within cooperating aligned apertures 60 respectively of the upstanding frame wall members 24. These locating protrusions in conjunction with the bumper tabs 55, 56 serve to further distribute the shock forces from bumper plate 20 to the housing frame walls 24 and to accurately maintain alignment therebetween.

The front of the device is enclosed by hinge pivoted front door member 19, which when in the closed position has fastening pin 53 extending through apertures 51 thereof and aligned apertures 54 of the bumper plate side walls 46, 47. The ends of the pin 53 are preferably maintained in position by spring tit members 55. Bumper portion 49 of bumper plate 20 has a shock absorber member 59 secured thereto as by rivet 58. Shock absorber 59 may typically be formed of molded neoprene and serves to assist in transferring the shock of impact of the staple driving means to a main frame via tabs 55, 56, locating projections 57, 58 and fastening pin 53.

The staple driving means 13 includes a bumper plate 20 which receives driving block 117 vertically reciprocable above bumper portion 49 of the bumper plate. A driving spring 118 is seated within elongated aperture 119 of the driving block, and is preferably centered at its upper end by forwardly extending projection of the bumper plate (see FIG. 9), which serve to limit the offaxial movement of the spring. The staple driving means further includes an operating handle 112 which is pivotally mounted on frame pin 153 and extends through the housing opening 29, a handle return spring 113, and a pawl 111 which is pivotally mounted 0n the handle through pin 153. A notch 121 is provided at the rear surface of driving block 117 for engaging the forward driving surface 151 of pawl 111. It should now be readily understood that to operate the staple driving means 13, the handle 112 is pivotally moved from the spring discharged position shown in FIG. 2 to the spring charged position shown in FIG. 3. During such movement the engagement of edge 151 of pawl 111 within slot 121 of the driving block 117 moves the driving block upward to the position shown in FIG. 3, wherein the driving spring 118 will be compressed, and accordingly substantial energy stored therein. During this movement, pawl 111 will slip out of notch 121 of the driving block, thereby permitting driving spring 118 to rapidly translate driving block 117 and driving blade 110 down into shearing engageemnt with the staple 101 to be discharged.

As one of -the advantageous features of the instant invention, the arcuate extent of the pivotal movement of handle 112 about pin 153 is defined by inwardly projecting stop means 152 integrally formed with bumper plate 20. As shown in the discharged condition of FIG. 2, forward surface 154 of the handle is in abutting engagement with portion 155 of stop means 152, thereby serving to limit the extent of handle movement in this direction. When handle 112 is pivoted to the charged position, as shown in FIG. 3, surface 156 of the handle then abuis portion 157 of stop means 152 to similarly define the arcuate extent of such movement.

The staple feeding means 12 includes a staple guiding channel member 63, a staple guiding core 64 and pusher assembly 65. Pusher assembly 65 comprises a pusher guide rod 66, a pusher spring member 67, a forward staple pusher member 6%, and a rearward latch member 69. To insert a strip of staples 100 within the staple feed portion 12, the pusher rod assembly 65 is removed via rear acces-s 2S and the staple strip is inserted intermediate core 64 and channel 63 in the conventional manner. The pusher rod is then re-inserted with the rear end latch 69, interconnected to the frame members 17, 13, such that the staples are forwardly urged for successive shearing and discharge by vertically reciprocating driving blade 110.

Latch member 69 includes a rear wall 81 and side walls 82, 33 which are generally symmetrical. 'llhe latch member 69 is maintained in the staple feed means by a tab projection 8d, which is inserted in cooperating aperture 35 of the frame housing. It has, however, been cxperienced that when subjected to continuous usage, particularly when the staple feed means 13 is [partially full, latch tab 34 has a tendency to slip out 'of opening 35. To alleviate this 1 advantageously provide a biased locking means formed of generally S-shaped spring member 175. Spring member 175 may be inserted via opening 28, after the tacker device 10 is otherwise fully assembled iby resiliently supporting its central portion 176 on pin 17d. Forwardly projecting portion 173 thereof serves as a locating projection in engagement with inwardly formed ridge 179 cf channel 12. Surface 177 in engagement with the latch member 69 is of a predetermined configuration and resiliency such that the components of force during unlocking are in a direction to offer more resistance to unlocking than locking thereby serving to advantageously maintain latch 69 in its locked condition, as shown in FIGURE 2.

In accordance with the improved constructural concepts of this invention, the forward end of channel member 63, which will be in a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge, is secured to frame walls 24, by the utilization of novel stud fastening means 166 (see FIGS. 7 and 14). Vertically extending frame Walls 24 include apertures 162 which snugly receive portion 165 of stud member 160. Portion 165 is of a lengtlh corresponding to the thickness of frame member 24 and substantially equal in diameter to aperture 162, so as to provide a press-lit relationship therebetween. Lesser diameter portion 164i Iwhich meets portion 165 at shoulder '167 is similarly press-fit within apertures 163 of the vertically upstanding walls of channel member 63. Stud fastening member 161) is preferably formed of hardened steel, so as to provide a rigid interconnection between channel member 63 and planar frame walls 24 at a region subjected to shock loading. The other end of staple feed channel member 63 is secured to the lframe walls 24 as by pin 170, which passes through cooperating apertures of the frame wall and an upwardly extending ear portion 171 of the channel member 63.

It is therefore seen that my invention provides novel and highly useful improvements in stapling tacking devices, t-o achieve better performance, longer life while realizing manufacturing economies.

In the foregoing specification this invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments. Many variations and modifications will now become apparent to tihose skilled in the art, and it is therefore preferred that this invention be limited not by the specific disclosure contained herein but only by the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive 'privilege or property is claimed are defined as follows.

lrclaim:

1. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location `for receiving a staple to be discharged,

staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated, and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinally extending in the space intermediate said frame walls and i-ncluding first and second space-separated channel Walls in juxtaposed relationship with respect to said first and second frame walls, respectively; said channel member having a first and a second end; said first end adjacent to said first location iat a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; first fastening means for rigidly securirrg the first end region of said channel member to said frame walls at a location along the path of movement of the staples towards said first location; said first fastening means comprising a first stud means press-fit lccated within cooperating apertures of said first channel member and fname walls, and a second stud means pressfit located within cooperating apertures of said second channel member and frame walls, said .stud means substantially contained within the respective channel member and `frame walls to permit an unimpeded passageway between said channel member walls for the movement of the staples towards said first location.

2. A stapling device comprising a housing [having a first llocation for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting :staples to said first location; said housing including space separated, and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinally extending in the space intermediate said frame walls and in. cluding first and second space-separated channel Walls in juxtaposed relationship with respect to said first and second frame iwalls, respectively; said channel member having a first and a second end; said first end adjacent to said first location at a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; first fastening means for rigidly securing the first end region of said channel member to said frame walls at a Ilocation along the path of movement of the staples towards said first location; said first end of said channel member having first and second apertures in said first and second channel walls of a first diameter; said first and second frame walls having third and fourth apertures of a second diameter; said first aperture communicating with said third aperture, and said second aperture communicating with said fourth aperture; said first fastening means comprising a first stud press fit located within said first and third aperture-s, and a second stud press fit located within said scc- -ond and fourth openings; said studs comprising a first portion of substantially said first diameter, and a second portion of substantially said second diameter; said first and second stud portions joined by a shoulder, said stud means substantially contained within the 'respective channel member and frame walls to permit an uninipeded passageway between said channel memiber walls for the movement of the staples towards said first location.

3. A stapling device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said stud being formed of hardened steel.

4. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy 'for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple `feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinally extending in the space intermediate said frame walls and in juxtaposed relationship therewith; said channel member having a first and second end; said first end adjacent to said first location at a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; said second end located at an external access fof said housing; said external access providing means for inserting a strip of staples into said staple feed means; said staple feed means including pusher means for urging staples towards said first location, latch means for locking said pusher means within said staple feed means, and bias means mounted internal of said frame walls for inhibiting the unlocking of said latch means.

5. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer tto la staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for sucessively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinally extending in the space intermediate said frame walls fand in juxtaposed relationship therewith; said channel member having a first and second end; said first end adjacent to said first location at a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; said second end located lat an external access of said housing; said external access providing means for inserting a strip of staples into said staple feed means; said staple feed means including pusher means for urging staples towards said first location, latch means for locking said pusher means within said staple feed means, and bias means mounted internal of said frame walls for inhibiting the unlocking of said latch means; said bias means lbeing a generally S-shaped spring having a first surface in engagement with said latch means; said latch engaging said bias means in a first direction during locking of the latch and in a second direction during unlocking of the latch, the components of force of such engagement characterized as requiring more force to move in said second direction than in said first direction.

6. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinally extending in the space intermediate said frame walls and in juxtaposed relationship therewith; said channel member having a first and second end; said first end adjacent to said first location at a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; said second end located at an external access of said housing; said external access providing means for inserting a strip of staples into said staple feed means; said staple feed means including pusher means for urging staples towards said first location, latch means for locking said pusher means Within said staple feed means, and bias means for inhibiting the unlocking of said latch means; said bias means being a generally S-shaped spring having a first surface in engagement with said latch means; said latch engaging said bias means in a first direction during locking of the latch, and in a second direction during unlocking of the latch, the components of force of such engagement characterized as requiring more force to move in said second direction than in said first direction; a first pin member passing through cooperating apertures of said channel member, adjacent said external access; said bias means supportingly mounted on said first pin member; said bias means including a locating projection; said channel member including an inwardly formed ridge in engagement with said locating projection of said bias means.

7. A stapling device as set forth in claim 6, further including first fastening means for rigidly securing the rst end region of said channel member to said frame walls; said first fastening means comprising a stud means press fit located within cooperating apertures of said channel member and frame walls.

8. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said first and second frame walls; said side walls having outwardly extending first and second protrusions; cooperating apertures of said frame walls receiving said first and second protrusions for accurately locating said bumper plate.

9. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting stap-les to said first location; said housing including space separated, and substantially parallel extending first and second frame Walls; said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said first and second frame walls; a driving spring supported on said bumper plate; means for charging said driving spring, including a handle mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said frame walls; said handle including a portion moving adjacent and bumper plate side walls, said bumper plate side walls including an integrally formed stop means in the path of travel of said handle portion; said stop means defining the extent of the pivotal movement of said handle.

10. A stap-ling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, .and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple drive means includind a bumper .plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said `first and second frame walls; a driving spring supported on said bumper plate; means for charging said driving spring, including a handle mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said frame walls; said handle including a portion moving adjacent said bumper plate side walls; said bumper plate side walls including an integrally formed stop means in the path of travel of said handle portion; said stop means defining the extent of the pivotal movement of said handle; said handle having a first position corresponding to a charged state of said driving spring, and a second position corresponding to a discharged state of said drivin-g spring; said handle portion including a first surface abutting said stop means to define said first position; and a second surface abutting said stop means to define said second position.

11. A stapling device as set forth in claim 10, wherein said stop means being inwardly formed aligned protrusions along said side walls; said first surface of said handle portion abutting a first portion of said protrusions corresponding to said first handle position, and said second surface of said handle portion abutting a second portion of said protrusions corresponding to said second handle position.

12. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location,

and `a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated, and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; -said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said first and second frame Walls; a driving spring supported on said bumper plate; said bumper plate including integrally formed means for limiting the off-axis movement of said driving spring and thereby centering said driving spring; said centering means being extensions forwardly projecting from the upper portion of said side walls into the region of said bumper plate supporting said driving spring.

13. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple a-t said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side Walls interconnected respectively t`o said first and second frame walls; said side walls having outwardly extending first and second protrusions; cooperating apertures of said frame walls -receiving said first and second protrusions for accurately locating said bumper plate; a driving spring on said bumper plate; means for charging said driving spring, including a handle mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said frame walls; said handle including a portion moving adjacent said bumper plate side walls; said bumper plate side Walls including an integrally formed stop means in the path of travel of said handle portion, said stop means defining the extent of the pivotal movement of said handle.

14. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple yat said first location, `and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said first and second frame walls; said side walls having outwardly extending first and second protrusions; cooperating apertures of said frame Wallis receiving said first and second protrusions for accurately locating said bumper plate; a driving spring supported ou said bumper plate; means for charging said driving spring, including a handle mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said yframe 'wal-ls; said handle including a portion moving adjacent said bumper plate side walls; said bumper plate side .walls including an integrally formed stop means in the path of travel of said handle portion; said stop means defining the extent of the pivotal movement of said handle; said bumper plate including integrally formed means for limiting the off-axis movement of said driving spring and thereby centering said driving spring; said centering means -being extensions forwardly projecting from the upper portion of said side Walls into the region of said bumper plate supporting said driving spring.

15. A stapling device comprising a housing having a first location for receiving a staple to be discharged, staple drive means for storing and rapidly dissipating appreciable energy for rapid transfer to a staple at said first location, and a staple feed means for successively presenting staples to said first location; said housing including space separated and substantially parallel extending first and second frame walls; said staple drive means including a bumper plate having first and second upstanding side walls interconnected respectively to said first and second frame walls; said side walls having outwardly extending rst and second protrusions; cooperating apertures of said frame walls receiving said first `and second protrusions for accurately locating said bumper plate; a driving spring supported on said bumper plate; means for charging said driving spring, including a handle mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said frame Walls; said handle including a portion moving .adjacent said bumper plate side walls; said bumper plate side Walls including an integrally formed stop means in the path of travel of sa-id handle portion; said stop means defining the extent of the .pivotal movement of said handle; said bumper plate including integrally formed means for limiting the off-axis movement of said driving spring and thereby centering said driving spring; said centering means being extensions forwardly projecting from the upper portion of said side walls into the region of said bumper plate supporting said driving spring; said staple feed means including a channel member longitudinal-ly extending in the space intermediate said frame walls and in juxtaposed relationship therewith; said channel member having a first and a second end; said rst end adjacent to said first location at a region subjected to shock loading during staple discharge; first fastening means for rigidly securing the first end region of said channel member to said frame Walls; said first fastening means comprising a stud means press fit located within cooperating apertures of said channel member and frame walls.

16. In a stapling device as set forth in claim 2, further including cover means overlying the second portions of said stud means at the external communication of said stud means with said frame walls, said cover means of an extent appreciably greater than said stud means second portion for preventing dislodgment of said stud means from its respective aperture means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 625,491 5/1899 Converse 29-509 X 1,709,756 4/ 1929 Szepe 227-132 X 2,276,050 3 1942 Leighton a 29-5 09 2,936,45 6 5 1960 Ruskin 227-127 X 3,034,128 5/ 1962 Robbins 227-156 GRANVILLE Y. CUSTER, JR., Primary Examiner. 

1. A STAPLING DEVICE COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING A FIRST LOCATION FOR RECEIVING A STAPLE TO BE DISCHARGED, STAPLE DRIVE MEANS FOR STORING AND RAPIDLY DISSIPATING APPRECIABLE ENERGY FOR RAPID TRANSFER TO A STAPLE AT SAID FIRST LOCATION, AND A STAPLE FEED MEANS FOR SUCCESSIVELY PRESENTING STAPLES TO SAID FIRST LOCATION; SAID HOUSING INCLUDING SPACE SEPARATED, AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL EXTENDING FIRST AND SECOND FRAME WALLS; SAID STAPLE FEED MEANS INCLUDING A CHANNEL MEMBER LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING IN THE SPACE INTERMEDIATE SAID FRAME WALLS AND INCLUDING FIRST AND SECOND SPACE-SEPARATED CHANNEL WALLS IN JUXTAPOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND FRAME WALLS, RESPECTIVELY; SAID CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING A FIRST AND A SECOND END; SAID FIRST END ADJACENT TO SAID FIRST LOCATION AT A REGION SUBJECTED TO SHOCK LOADING DURING STAPLE DISCHARGE; FIRST FASTENING MEANS FOR RIGIDLY SECURING THE FIRST END REGION OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBER TO SAID FRAME WALKLS AT A LOCATION ALONG THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE STAPLES TOWARDS SAID FIRST LOCATION; SAID FIRST FASTENING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST STUD MEANS PRESS-FIT LOCATED WITHIN COOPERATING APERTURES OF SAID FIRST CHANNEL MEMBER AND FRAME WALLS, AND A SECOND STUD MEANS PRESSFIT LOCATED WITHIN COOPERATING APERTURES OF SAID SECOND CHANNEL MEMBER AND FRAME WALLS, SAID STUD MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY CONTAINED WITHIN THE RESPECTIVE CHANNEL MEMBER AND FRAME WALLS TO PERMIT AN UNIMPEDED PASSAGEWAY BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL MEMBER WALLS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF THE STAPLES TOWARDS SAID FIRST LOCATION. 